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Residents Offer “Notes of Love” to Military Veteran and His Family

Construction of the Brooking family home in St. James Park paused for a few days last week so residents and others from throughout the Charleston community could share their thanks for the service of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jeremy Brooking and welcome he and his family to their new home. The “Notes of Love” event is a tradition started by Operation Finally Home, the non-profit organization that brought the Brookings together with Max Crosby Construction and the Daniel Island Company to build the family a mortgage-free home at Carnes Crossroads.

In addition to the Brookings’ future neighbors, families from Summerville, Goose Creek, Daniel Island and Mt. Pleasant visited the home over a two-day period to write or attach their notes of thanks and support on the framework of the home.

The family arrived on Monday, May 22 to see the home in progress for the first time and read the notes from friends, family, neighbors and strangers. They marveled at the notion that so many would come out to support people that they had never met.

“When we walk in this house, we will always be filled with love no matter what. These notes mean everything,” said Jeremy. “Seeing this house has given me peace of mind and given me hope… For the first time since I’ve been back, I feel hope and love. That’s an amazing feeling.”

Cpl. Brooking was severely wounded in Iraq and has spent ten years recovering. Through Operation Finally Home, Jeremy, his wife, Tia, and their two young daughters are being given a chance to start a new life and move forward. The project is made possible by donations of materials and services of the builder, suppliers, trades and others who contribute to covering the cost of the home.

Construction is underway again, and though sheetrock will cover the notes, flags and mementos of support, they will remain an important part of the home forever, and the family will feel their presence.

“This is about so much more than just the home,” says Molly Halliday of Operation Finally Home. “I think the Brookings will continue their healing as this community wraps their arms around them.”